3/10/2013 |
Stauffer feeling strong despite rough outingWhen you've spent virtually an entire season on the disabled list, any day that you're healthy enough to pitch is a good day. Tim Stauffer made his third appearance of the spring on Sunday, and he said that he felt healthy and strong despite allowing four earned runs.

3/10/2013 |
Ailing Dodgers are lucky to have rotation optionsThe Dodgers have eight starting pitchers in camp and might need to keep all of them because of injuries, past and present, with trips to the bullpen for longtime rotation members like Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang a likely scenario.

3/10/2013 |
Choo keeps up scorching spring with new teamShin-Soo Choo went 4-for-4 in the Reds' 7-3 win over the White Sox on Sunday. In addition to raising his Spring Training batting average to .421, Choo has now hit safely in five of the eight games he has played.

3/10/2013 |
Cashner returns with efficient spring debutAndrew Cashner made his spring debut with precision approaching perfection Sunday, returing to the mound for the first time since offseason surgery to repair a ligament in his right thumb.

3/10/2013 |
Brach has growing role in sophomore seasonBrad Brach, who thrived as a rookie reliever for the Padres last season, came into Spring Training with a chance to carve out a bigger role for himself, and he's well on his way.

3/10/2013 |
Dodgers may delay Greinke's returnDodgers pitcher Zack Greinke is questionable for his scheduled start Monday because of continued elbow discomfort, while Chad Billingsley is dealing with a sore groin muscle.

3/10/2013 |
Benoit one of best setup men in baseballOnly Mike Adams has more holds over the last three seasons than Joaquin Benoit, owner of 84 since 2010 and 59 over two seasons in Detroit. His manager, Jim Leyland, has called him as good of a setup man as there is in the league, and tried to lobby for him as an All-Star last year.

3/10/2013 |
Feldman pleased with command in third startCubs pitcher Scott Feldman wasn't happy with his last spring start against the Rockies, so he talked to Dioner Navarro about it. Whatever the catcher said worked.

3/10/2013 |
Quartet of hurlers working way back to moundAs encouraging as the Pirates' spring pitching has been -- their allowance of 5.2 runs per exhibition is among the Grapefruit League's lowest -- club officials are also enthused by four arms on the back burner, including Charlie Morton.

3/10/2013 |
Focused on defense, Ross' offense appearsWhen catcher David Ross arrived for his first camp with the Red Sox, he knew full well that his top mission was to learn the pitching staff inside and out. If that came at the expense of his offense, so be it.

3/10/2013 |
Rutledge is parlaying confidence into successSecure in the Rockies' confidence in his ability after he stepped in for injured shortstop Troy Tulowitzki last seaosn, Josh Rutledge has had a productive spring in his transition to second base.

3/10/2013 |
Bard rights himself after shaky beginningWhen Daniel Bard started Sunday's relief outing with three straight high fastballs for a 3-0 count, you might have wondered if he was in for a tough outing.

3/10/2013 |
Goldschmidt finds time to prepare for futureTo increase his versatility, D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has been taking some balls in the outfield during batting practice, though he acknowledges it might be years before he can put the practice to use.

3/10/2013 |
Putz practices slider against GiantsD-backs closer J.J. Putz pitched in a "B" game against the Giants on Sunday as part of an effort to bring a slider back into his repertoire.

3/10/2013 |
Kennedy efficient with curveball in 'B' gameRather than throw against the A's on Sunday, D-backs right-hander Ian Kennedy threw four innings against Minor Leaguers from the Giants while working on his curveball.

3/10/2013 |
Stiff competition for three vacant bullpen spotsMost clubs began this Spring Training with the Classic concern that it would be too long. For Pirates manager Clint Hurdle, it may not be long enough. He may need more time for some relievers to pitch themselves out of contention for the three vacant seats in the bullpen.

3/10/2013 |
Tribe may have 13 pitchers on Opening Day rosterAn unusual start to the Indians' regular-season schedule might influence the construction of the team's Opening Day roster. Cleveland is considering carrying 13 pitchers -- as opposed to baseball's more customary 12-man staff -- due to having no off-days for nearly the first two weeks of April. The Tribe is scheduled to play 13 consecutive games out of the gate with its first off-day slated for April 15.

3/10/2013 |
Huff competing for bullpen role, not rotation spotDavid Huff had been hoping to have a conversation with Indians manager Terry Francona to get some clarity about his potential role on the pitching staff. Huff received his wish when he was approached by Francona on Sunday morning. With three weeks remaining in camp, Huff was informed that he is now competing for a spot in Cleveland's bullpen.

3/10/2013 |
Brantley returns vs. Rangers, will be ready for seasonIndians left fielder Michael Brantley returned to the field on Sunday after spending the better part of the past two weeks recovering from a left forearm laceration. For Sunday's Cactus League contest against the Rangers, Brantley served as the designated hitter and hit in the leadoff spot. It marked his first game appearance since being spiked while sliding in a game on Feb. 25 against the A's.

3/10/2013 |
Myers strong through three in loss to RangersThere were bound to be some rough patches during Brett Myers' spring transition back to a rotation after spending the past year as a reliever. On Sunday afternoon, the Indians starter hit a wall as his pitch count climbed. The Rangers broke through for five runs against Myers in the fourth inning, helping pave the way for a 7-6 victory over the Indians at Goodyear Ballpark.

3/10/2013 |
Giants take notice of Heston, Kickham in "B" gameTop pitching prospects Chris Heston and Mike Kickham appeared back-to-back in a "B" game against the D-backs, and the promising starters have the Giants interested enough that general manager Brian Sabean and a few assistants came out for the game.

3/10/2013 |
Back behind plate, Martin says shoulder feels greatBatting leadoff Sunday to give him an extra turn, Pirates catcher Russell Martin went 0-for-2 with a walk but, of course, nobody cared about the at-bats, They wanted to see the arm, but for that you had to be around way before first pitch. That test came only during the team's infield practice.